Tag Archives: Walt Disney World

Wilderness Lodge Villas Review

We recently returned from another fabulous family Disney vacation, this time making our home base a 1 bedroom villa at the Wilderness Lodge.

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The villas are housed in a separate building right beside the lodge and accessed by a covered walkway where western music guides you to the villas own majestic, if on a somewhat smaller scale, lobby. Check-in occurs in the main lodge, there is no check-in desk in the villas lobby.

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The villas have been refurbished since we last stayed in one and are lighter and airier than before. The dark kitchen cabinets are now white, carpet is now wood flooring and overall the villas are brighter.

The 1 and 2 bedroom villas offer a full kitchen and stackable washer/dryer making life very convenient indeed for keeping up with laundry and having breakfast and even lunch if you wanted to in your villas.   A pull out queen sofa makes up the main room along with the kitchen and entryway. Then a split bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower and a king size bed in the bedroom make up the rest. The 1 bedroom villa features two balconies. We were on the 5th floor, the top floor so our villas had vaulted ceilings and our balcony had a solid wall.

When booking the resort directly with Disney, just as you would a regular room, mousekeeping is daily. When booking on DVC points, it’s every 4th day. Detergent was provided daily for the dishwasher and laundry.

We took advantage of grocery delivery options to have staples delivered for breakfast and of course, beverages. The Mercantile in the Lodge does have a nice selection of food items and essentials, but you’ll save money by ordering in advance. We use Garden Grocer and have had great success with them.

Other than the health club, which is located in the Villas lobby, all other resort amenities, restaurants, etc… are located in the Lodge.  Signature restaurant Artist’s Point, the fun and playful Whispering Canyon and the counter service Roaring Forks. The quiet pool is just steps outside and a short walk around to the main pool, pool bar, beach, marina with boat rentals and the boat dock for the ferry to the Magic Kingdom or Fort Wilderness and the Contemporary. The Wilderness Lodge is a fairly compact resort in comparison to some of the sprawling resorts Disney offers, so nothing is really too far away.

Magical Savings for Fall

Experience what a Walt Disney World® Resort family vacation is all about with this 4-day/4-night room and ticket Magic Together package in a standard room at Disney’s All-Star Resorts for a family of 4 from just $1,701.

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Booking Window: July 20 – Sept. 18, 2015
Travel Window: Most nights 10/4-10/8, 10/12-10/15, 10/18-10/22, 10/25-10/29, 11/1-11/5, 11/9-11/12, 11/15-11/19 and 11/28-12/10/15. Check for other great rates between 10/4-11/24 and 11/28-12/23.

Magic Kingdom Park Special Event Dates Announced

Magic Kingdom Park Special Event Dates Announced – Tickets on Sale in April!

Your favorite fall events at the Walt Disney World® Resort have been announced! Dates have been announced for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. And, tickets for both events will go on sale in April.

During these specially-ticketed events the Magic Kingdom® Park comes alive with holiday decorations, special entertainment and tons of fun!

mnspThis year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be held 25 nights throughout the months of September, October and November. And, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held 20 nights in November and December.

Dates for 2015 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are:

Sept. 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27
Oct. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Nov. 1

Dates for 2015 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are:

Nov. 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29
Dec.1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18

 

Tickets for both events will go on sale in April.

Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival

The annual Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival is designed with something for everyone in the family: hands-on activities for all ages; how-to seminars from expert gardeners and Disney’s own team of master horticulturists and an exciting lineup of pop hit makers from the 1960s and ’70s appear every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Event Dates: March 4 – May 17, 2015
Event Tickets: Admission to Epcot® required.

It’s more than just Flowers though, as posted yesterday, a concert series takes place and of course there is FOOD!!!

Sample Kitchens from the 2014 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Take your pick from garden–grown treats, savory meats and spring-inspired flavors—including tempting TRYit! selections, featuring fun foods made with fresh ingredients—this year at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival!

Florida Fresh – Experience a taste of several fresh Florida ingredients, each grown and produced locally. It’s a perfect opportunity to treat your senses to some of the most delightful fruit and drink the Sunshine State has to offer! Florida Fresh can be found next to the Germany Pavilion.

Hanami – Journey near the Japan Pavilion where the annual ritual of admiring springtime flowers is in full bloom. From delectable bites to refreshing beverages, uncover how Hanami’s flavors reflect the season.

Jardin de Fiestas – Make your way near the Mexico Pavilion where the tapas are spring light and cooked just right. Don’t miss your chance to take part in this festival of flavors, complete with savory tacos and mouthwatering cocktails.

Fleur de Lys – Indulge your senses in extravagance at this tasty milieu influenced by the “flower of the lily.” Once a royal emblem used by the French monarchy, the symbol now serves as inspiration for this decadent stop where you can refine your palate with some of the France Pavilion’s most magnificent culinary masterpieces!

Lotus House – Hit the pavement near the China Pavilion for a garden-fresh take on spring–influenced flavors. Appease your cravings with a wide variety of Chinese cuisine, including popular street foods and bubble tea!

Pineapple Promenade – Enjoy the Great White North with a tropical twist at the Canada side of World Showcase promenade. Then, get ready to hear your sweet tooth say, “thank you!” as you bite into all kinds of treats featuring this popular golden fruit.

Primavera Kitchen – Say, “Ciao!” to spring as you set sail for a land of garden–fresh foods near the Italy Pavilion. On your stop, be sure to explore the countryside’s many flavors—caprese, manicotti, torte di ricotta and fine Italian wines.

Taste of Marrakesh – Embark on a trek near the Morocco Pavilion and educate your tastes on North African spices. Each unique flavor has been paired with fresh ingredients and can be sampled with Moroccan beer and wine at this garden oasis.

New! Urban Farm Eats – Honor the earth and all it grows with a refreshing selection from this location’s all–natural menu. Choose from a hearty array of foods and beverages, many of which have been cultivated entirely from the soil!

The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews – Celebrate the truly American tradition of slow–cooked flavors near The American Adventure Pavilion. Sink your teeth into savory barbecue meats and then pair each one off with craft brews from across the country.

The Buttercup Cottage – Delight in elegant afternoon–tea offerings and fresh garden flavors near the United Kingdom Pavilion. Drop by this charming locale to sample scrumptious treats, British teas and beverages inspired by lovely English fruits and fragrances.

Intermissions Café – Dig into your day or turn over the evening at this charming stop found right within the Festival. Pop inside to find all kinds of fine food and beverages—wine, cheese, wraps, salads and more!

It’s a wonderful time for a stroll through World Showcase!

Cinderella Sneak Peek and Golden Coach

Head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at the Walt Disney dtnemail-Cinderella-Coach_Film-613x915-5e390World® Resort for an exclusive preview of the new live-action Disney feature “Cinderella,” in theaters on March 13, 2015. This special speak peek will be presented at the park’s ABC Sound Studio through March, 21, 2015.

In addition, get an up-close look at the original golden coach from the film. This stunning set piece will be on display in front of the movie theater façade on Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Feb. 1-April 11, 2015.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Update

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at the Walt Disney World® Resort is currently undergoing an exciting transformation!

The resort will include the largest Deluxe Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. The 360 Deluxdtnemail-Polynesian_Villas-12860e Studios will sleep up to five Guests each and have the ability to connect to another Deluxe Studio. These rooms will feature a kitchenette, enhanced storage space, two separate bathroom areas – one a full bathroom with a tub/shower and one with a shower and sink. Plus, a pull-down armoire bed showcases painted artwork from the popular Disney film, “Lilo and Stitch.”

The new Disney Vacation Club bungalows are the first of their kind on any Disney property. The 20 bungalows will sleep up to eight Guests each in a home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific.

Booking for non DVC members as regular room rentals begins February 11th, 2015, there will be very limited availability for the bungalows.

New Magic band Designs

Beginning January 2015, add a little “character” to your Walt Disney World® Resort vacation experience with a variety of new graphic MagicBands.

Choose from the following options:NMB750661

  • Ariel and Cinderella Castle (available Jan. 16, 2015)
  • Belle (available Jan. 23, 2015)
  • Tinkerbell and Toy Story (available Jan. 30, 2015)
Disney Parks Blog

These open edition MagicBands will be available at select merchandise locations at Walt Disney World Theme Parks, as well as at Downtown Disney®. The MagicBands retail for $19.95 and will be sold in the new, standard retail packaging.

Ringing in the New Year at the Walt Disney World® Resort

Ringing in the New Year at the Walt Disney World® Resort? Here’s a reminder of some of the magical ways to welcome in 2015!

Countdown at Magic Kingdom® Park

The new year kicks off with fireworks galore at Magic Kingdom Park. Along with “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season,”  enjoy “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks, capped off with a breathtaking musical show. This special fireworks display will be presented on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, 2014 at 11:50 p.m.

New Year’s Around the Globe at Epcot®

All across World Showcase at Epcot,  explore each countries’ traditions at participating pavilions – including Morocco, Italy, China, France, the United Kingdom and the USA –  soak up the sounds of favorite bands and DJs.

Plus, World Showcase promenade is the place to be as IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth lights up the sky with a message of peace and goodwill. Two showings of this nighttime spectacular will take place on New Year’s Eve, at 6 p.m. and 11:40 p.m.

Celebrate at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

Guests of all ages will enjoy the fabulous family-style fun and entertainment that New Year’s Eve unreels at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Come nightfall on Dec. 31, 2014, the “rake and roll” cover band Mulch, Sweat and Shears takes the stage for a set of iconic songs.

And, as midnight approaches, the evening ignites into an amazing shower of shimmering light.  Watch in wonder as majestic fireworks glitter, glisten and inspire awe in one and all.

Dining and Entertainment at Downtown Disney®

If you wish to enjoy New Year’s Eve at Downtown Disney, please remember, as in previous years, there are no fireworks displays.

However, there are a variety of exciting offerings to enjoy this year at Downtown Disney, including special New Year’s Eve food and beverage tents, merchandise stands and entertainment. Guests can also enjoy dining experiences, movies, bowling, Cirque du Soleil, shopping and more. Or, they can explore some of the newest offerings including the Food Trucks at Exposition Park and the flagship Starbucks location at Downtown Disney West Side, as well as the Marketplace Co-Op at the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Disney Photopass Enhancements

Great news from Disney World today announcing enhancements to their Photopass product. These changes make it so much easier to take advantage of photopass and eliminate the waiting in line to have the ride photos added to your account.

All Guests wearing active MagicBands will now have their attraction photos automatically associated to their My Disney Experience accounts. All unexpired photos are visible, so attraction photos taken within the previous 45 days will be included.

In addition, Guests without MagicBands can now associate attraction photos with RF-enabled media (e.g., park ticket, Memory Maker card) via new touch points at the photo preview walls. This functionality is currently available at:

  • Magic Kingdom® Park (Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin®, Space Mountain®, Splash Mountain®)
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios® (Rock ‘n Roller Coaster® Staring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™)

Implementation is scheduled to be complete at Epcot® (Test Track® Presented by Chevrolet) and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (Dinosaur and Expedition Everest®) by mid-November.

Guests can also now see videos in their accounts that previously only Memory Maker Guests could access. All Guests wearing active MagicBands will have attraction videos automatically associated to their accounts. Attraction videos are currently available for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

And, all Guests are eligible to have animated magic shots automatically associated to their accounts. Animated magic shots are special videos that appear in the Guest’s account after having their photo taken by a Disney PhotoPass photographer in select locations (locations and content subject to change). They feature a still photo of the travel party overlaid with a video appearance by an animated character. 

All unexpired videos will be visible. Therefore, attraction videos and animated magic shots taken within the previous 45 days are included. All Guests are able to view their videos via their My Disney Experience account, but a Memory Maker entitlement is required to download them.

Memory Maker is well worth the cost with the ease of use now, especially with the ride photos and now even some videos included.